The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular will appear in court today in connection with his death.

The little boy was reported missing from his Edinburgh home on Thursday, prompting a major search operation.

His body was later found around 25 miles away in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Clegg to make mental health pledge

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is pledging to improve the standards of mental health treatment and “bring mental health out of the shadows”.

In a speech launching the Government’s new Mental Health Action Plan, which sets out 25 areas where immediate action is called for to improve care, support and treatment, Mr Clegg will say: “All too often, attitudes to mental health are outdated; stuck in the dark ages; full of stigma and stereotypes.

“It’s time for us to bring mental health out of the shadows and to give people with mental health conditions the support they need and deserve.”

No apology, no whip, Rennard warned

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has said it would not be “appropriate” for Lord Rennard to return to his party’s ranks in the House of Lords without first apologising to the women who claim he sexually harassed them, warning the under-fire peer: “No apology, no whip.”

Mr Clegg’s authority faces a major challenge today, as Lord Rennard plans to take up his place in the Upper House and his legal adviser threatens legal action if the whip is not reinstated.

Lord Rennard strenuously denies the allegations against him and has refused to apologise, after an inquiry by senior barrister Alistair Webster QC found that the women’s claims were credible but could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

St Lucia death 'tragic, shattering'

The family of a British man who died defending his wife after attackers boarded their boat in the Caribbean said it was a “tragic, shattering end” to their dream holiday.

Roger Pratt, 62, a retired engineer, died and his wife Margaret was injured after three armed men climbed aboard their yacht moored off the south coast of St Lucia on Friday, police said.

Mrs Pratt, who retired as a management consultant to go on the long-planned around-the-world holiday, had celebrated her 60th birthday just days before the incident.

Labour in jobseeker benefit threat

Unemployed people who lack basic English, maths and computing skills will face being stripped of benefits unless they take up training under changes proposed by Labour.

Under the plan, all new claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance would have to sit a basic skills test to measure their literacy, numeracy and IT ability within six weeks of signing on.

Those found to need improvement will be put on a programme of training aimed at getting them up to the standard required for steady employment.

Duggan stop tactic was not reviewed

The Metropolitan Police has admitted it was wrong not to review its use of the “hard stop” tactic employed in the shooting of Mark Duggan in 2011, despite being advised to do so by the complaints watchdog.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) recommended the review in 2005 following the shooting of suspected drug dealer Azelle Rodney, saying it was a “high-risk option” which carried risks to the public, suspects and officers.

Scotland Yard today conceded it was wrong not to have conducted a review, but said an “interim review” had now been completed by the College of Policing.

Woman face Roache trial questions

A woman who told detectives that Coronation Street star William Roache was “like an octopus” with “hands everywhere” will be cross-examined today at his trial.

She said the actor - whom she dubbed The Roache - groped her in a room at Granada Studios in Manchester after being led past the Rovers Return pub on the set.

In a video recording of her police interview played to jurors at Preston Crown Court, she said she thought she was about 14 when Roache arranged studio passes for her and her younger sister.

Jobless migrants lose housing cash

Jobless immigrants will be denied housing benefits under plans set out by senior ministers to tackle immigration and prevent people exploiting the UK’s welfare system.

Home Secretary Theresa May and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said the measure would apply from April as they delivered a strongly-worded attack on Labour’s “shameful” record on the issue.

The move to stop access to housing benefit follows legislation rushed through Parliament to prevent migrants from claiming out-of-work benefits until they have been in the country for three months.

Travis 'victims' to give evidence

Two alleged victims of veteran DJ Dave Lee Travis are expected to give evidence against the former Radio 1 favourite today.

Travis, 68, denies 13 indecent assaults and one sexual assault, dating back to 1976 and the height of his fame.

The trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court last week heard evidence from alleged victims who pointed to Travis’s supposed “campaign of sexual assault” and a casual attitude among broadcasting bosses to dealing with complaints against him.

Wealthy grabbing power, says Oxfam

Global inequality has increased to the extent that the £1 trillion combined wealth of the 85 richest people is equal to that of the poorest 3.5 billion - half of the world’s population - according to a new report from development charity Oxfam.

And the report, entitled Working For The Few, claims that growing inequality has been driven by a “power grab” by wealthy elites, who have co-opted the political process to rig the rules of the economic system in their favour.

Oxfam called on attendees at this week’s World Economic Forum, which brings together politicians and business leaders in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, to take a personal pledge to tackle the problem by refraining from dodging taxes or using their wealth to seek political favours.